Grilled Soy-Ginger Glazed Tofu
By America's Test KitchenPublished on December 14, 2021
Yield
Serves 4 to 6
Ingredients
Glaze
⅓ cup soy sauce ⅓ cup water ⅓ cup sugar ¼ cup mirin 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger 2 garlic clove, minced2 teaspoons cornstarch 1 teaspoon Asian chili-garlic sauceTofu
28 ounces firm tofu, sliced lengthwise into 1-inch-thick planks2¼ tablespoons vegetable oil ½ teaspoon table salt ¼ teaspoon pepper ¼ cup minced fresh cilantroBefore You Begin
You can use either firm or extra-firm tofu in this recipe. Dry sherry or white wine can be substituted for the mirin. Be sure to handle the tofu gently on the grill to prevent it from breaking apart.
Instructions
- Simmer soy sauce, water, sugar, mirin, ginger, garlic, cornstarch, and chili-garlic sauce in small saucepan over medium-high heat until thickened and reduced to ¾ cup, 5 to 7 minutes; transfer to bowl.
- Spread tofu over paper towel–lined baking sheet, let drain for 20 minutes, then gently press dry with paper towels. Brush tofu with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour two-thirds evenly over half of grill, then pour remaining coals over other half of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high.
- Clean and oil cooking grate. Gently place tofu on grill, perpendicular to grate bars (on hotter part of grill if using charcoal). Cook (covered if using gas) until lightly browned on both sides, 6 to 10 minutes, gently flipping tofu halfway through cooking using 2 spatulas.
- Turn all burners to medium if using gas, or slide tofu to cooler part of grill if using charcoal. Brush tofu with ¼ cup glaze and cook until well browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip tofu, brush with ¼ cup glaze, and cook until well browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer tofu to platter, brush with remaining ¼ cup glaze, and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve.
for the glaze
for the tofu
Yield
Serves 4 to 6Ingredients
Glaze
Tofu
Ingredients
Glaze
Tofu
Ingredients
Glaze
Tofu
Why This Recipe Works
Tofu has a delicate, silky texture that contrasts beautifully with the crisp, browned crust that results from a quick stint on the grill, and its mild flavor gets a boost from the gingery, garlicky flavors of this glaze. First we made the glaze by simmering soy sauce, sugar, mirin, fresh ginger, garlic, and chili-garlic sauce. Some cornstarch helped to thicken the sauce so it would cling to the tofu. We found that the keys to successfully grilled tofu were cutting it to the right shape and handling it carefully on the grill. We tried grilling tofu that had been cut into planks, strips, and cubes, and found that tofu cut lengthwise into 1-inch-thick planks fared best. This shape maximized surface contact, and the larger pieces were easier to turn. Using two spatulas provided the best leverage for flipping the delicate tofu.
Before You Begin
You can use either firm or extra-firm tofu in this recipe. Dry sherry or white wine can be substituted for the mirin. Be sure to handle the tofu gently on the grill to prevent it from breaking apart.
Instructions
- Simmer soy sauce, water, sugar, mirin, ginger, garlic, cornstarch, and chili-garlic sauce in small saucepan over medium-high heat until thickened and reduced to ¾ cup, 5 to 7 minutes; transfer to bowl.
- Spread tofu over paper towel–lined baking sheet, let drain for 20 minutes, then gently press dry with paper towels. Brush tofu with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- FOR A CHARCOAL GRILL: Open bottom vent completely. Light large chimney starter filled with charcoal briquettes (6 quarts). When top coals are partially covered with ash, pour two-thirds evenly over half of grill, then pour remaining coals over other half of grill. Set cooking grate in place, cover, and open lid vent completely. Heat grill until hot, about 5 minutes.FOR A GAS GRILL: Turn all burners to high, cover, and heat grill until hot, about 15 minutes. Leave all burners on high.
- Clean and oil cooking grate. Gently place tofu on grill, perpendicular to grate bars (on hotter part of grill if using charcoal). Cook (covered if using gas) until lightly browned on both sides, 6 to 10 minutes, gently flipping tofu halfway through cooking using 2 spatulas.
- Turn all burners to medium if using gas, or slide tofu to cooler part of grill if using charcoal. Brush tofu with ¼ cup glaze and cook until well browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Flip tofu, brush with ¼ cup glaze, and cook until well browned, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer tofu to platter, brush with remaining ¼ cup glaze, and sprinkle with cilantro. Serve.
for the glaze
for the tofu
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